These locomotives represent a fleet of GP7 diesels upgraded by the Santa Fe in the mid-seventies. While the chopped nose and “Topeka Cab” are the most noticeable, many other modifications were made. Upgraded trucks, new electrical equipment, air conditioning, four-stack exhaust manifold and removal of the dynamic brake (if so equipped) are some of the others.

As per the prototype, the details of these units differ from road number to road number. Our models represent these differences. Two of the units include the modified dynamic brake system and the other two are engines that were not so equipped. Three represent the “no drop step” option that was standard on Santa Fe early Geeps. The fourth unit has the “always down” drop step common to most of these rebuilds.

Side skirts vary from unit to unit as does the horn, antenna and mirrors. All of these details are gleaned from many photos of the prototype. Details that you’ve come to expect from a Genesis model.

BN FEATURES (ex-GN):

All GN/BN units include unique five step stepwells and extra end grabs per Great Northern practice. First time offered in HO. Both Great Northern and Burlington Northern units are painted in the Great Northern as-delivered orange and green paint. The BN units have been patched with new BN numbers. This practice was common on the BN from 1970 until the units received Burlington Northern green and black paint. Some units stayed patched in GN paint until 1976 or 1977.

#1818:

Phase I body

Cab roof mounted beacon

Nail antenna

Bell mounted long hood, between exhaust

All weather cab window – included not applied

Alternate lowered drop step included

Prototype specific BN number patch

#1780:

Phase II body w/dynamic brakes

Snowplow, both ends

Firecracker antenna

Bell mounted long hood end

Great Northern specific toolbox side skirts, intermediate version – first time in HO!

Assorted journal boxes, as per prototype

Spark arrestor style tall exhaust stack – first time in HO!

All weather cab window – included not applied

Alternate lowered drop step included

Prototype specific BN number patch

#1786:

Phase II body w/dynamic brakes

Firecracker antenna

Bell mounted long hood end

Great Northern specific toolbox side skirts, late version – first time in HO!

All weather cab window – included not applied

Alternate lowered drop step included

Prototype specific BN number patch

#1361:

Phase III body – rebuilt from FT trade-ins. EMD called them a GP9m and GN called them GP5s.

Firecracker antenna

Bell mounted long hood, between exhaust

Cab roof mounted air horn

All weather cab window – included not applied

Alternate lowered drop step included

Prototype specific BN number patch

GN FEATURES:

#671:

Phase I body

Nail antenna

Cab roof mounted air horn

Assorted journal boxes, as per prototype

Spark arrestor style tall exhaust stack – first time in HO

All weather cab window – included not applied

Alternate lowered drop step included

#710:

Phase II body w/dynamic brakes

Snowplow, both ends

Firecracker antenna

Bell mounted long hood end

Great Northern specific toolbox side skirts – early version – first time in HO!

Spark arrestor style tall exhaust stack – first time in HO

All weather cab window – included not applied

Alternate lowered drop step included

#714:

Phase II body w/dynamic brakes

Snowplow, both ends

Firecracker antenna

Bell mounted long hood end

Assorted journal boxes, as per prototype

Spark arrestor style tall exhaust stack – first time in HO

All weather cab window – included not applied

Great Northern specific toolbox side skirts, intermediate version – first time in HO!

Alternate lowered drop step included

#911:

Phase III body – rebuilt from FT trade-ins. EMD called them a GP9m and GN called them GP5s.

Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights

Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes

CV chart included

PROTOTYPE INFO:

In 1949, EMD introduced the GP7. The basic design followed most diesel switchers with the addition of a short hood instead of an end-cab. The hoods were also full height to better accommodate the diesel engine and mechanical and electrical components.

In 1954 EMD upgraded the GP7 to become the 1,750 horsepower GP9. Externally, the first GP9s were virtually unchanged from the last GP7s. Later versions would include different louver arrangements and the last ones would come without the frame skirting. The GP9 was availalbe with all of the fuel tank, steam generator, and dynamic brake options as the GP7 including “torpedo boats.”